The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has accused former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, General Aliyu Gusau (retired) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sponsoring banditry in the state.
Addressing journalists at the APC headquarters in Gusau, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, said members of the opposition party including Gusau’s involvement in mining activities gave birth to bandit activities in the state.
He alleged that Gusau controlled 70 percent of mining licenses and operated many sites, wondering why the General’s sites have never been attacked by bandits.
“General Aliyu Gusau, who is the biological father of Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, the current PDP leader in the state, controlled over 70 per cent of the mining licenses before they were revoked by the Federal Government.
“The security agencies should investigate why we never hear any fracas between these miners and the bandits even though both operate in the bushes of the state.
“I will also urge you gentlemen of the press to carry out an investigative report on this, the result and outcome will shock you to your bones.
“One will be left with no option but to believe that Aliyu Gusau and other PDP stalwarts were behind banditry in Zamfara because their mining sites were never attacked by bandits.
“Similarly, he (Aliyu Gusau) and other PDP members have never come to the state to sympathise with the government and people of the state whenever there was bandits attack.
“The reason why the PDP is not happy with the feat being attained by the Governor and the APC in addressing insecurity in the state is because they are the ones behind the criminals, thus fighting bandits is like fighting the PDP in the state.”
He said PDP leaders in the state were not happy with the defection of Matawalle to the APC and have been working tirelessly to undermine his achievements, adding that the incessant bandit attacks in the state were parts of the antics of the opposition party.
“No doubt, after many open and nocturnal attempts by the PDP in the state to reverse the defection of the governor from their party, they have now resorted to painting him in bad light and undermining his administration,” he said.
